3 Indians Elected to New Zealand’s Parliament

Three Indians Kanwaljeet Singh Bakshi, Mahesh Bindra and Parmjeet Parmar have been elected to the New Zealand Parliament, in the recently concluded elections.

While Delhi born Bakshi is New Zealand’s first Sikh MP elected in 2008, Parmar and Bindra are the latest entrants. Parmar and Bakshi have been elected as representatives of the ruling National Party while Bindra got an MP ticket as a representative of the New Zealand First Party.

New Zealand’s PM, John Key-led National Party won 61 seats compared to 59 in the last elections.

Rumors were rife that Bindra’s Party New Zealand First was anti-immigration and anti-Asian. With Bindra’s election to the Parliament, those rumors seem to have been quelled.  Bindra contested from the Roskill seat and was ranked 11th in his party. Parmar ranked 48th in her party list.

Upon winning his seat Bindra said, “We got huge support from the community and we were able to change the perception of New Zealand First in general - and Mr Peters in particular - that we are not a party of only white people. We are party for all New Zealanders. It doesn't matter where you come from."

Mahesh Bindra a political science and psychology graduate moved to New Zealand in 2002, while Bakshi a graduate of University of Delhi moved in 2001. Parmar migrated to New Zealand in 95’ and attained a PhD in Biological Sciences from the University of Auckland.

There has been a growing influx of Indians to New Zealand due to its friendly relations and a conducive atmosphere to the business community.

Source: The New Zealand Herald, Times of India

Image Sources : www.national.org.nz